~CB

Windows 8, 7, XP... which one? Where did you buy this laptop from? Do you have an antivirus? if so, which one? Have you downloaded software from a website that is not trust worthy? If what you said is true and Windows is giving you the error that is it not 'legit' then it's probably a trojan virus planted to scam you. Although if you are getting an error saying your windows is not 'genuine' then there's a possibility that it really is not. Only your answer to the details I asked for would tell.

Logged

~CB

You should probably download 'Malwarebytes Anti Malware' (Google it). It comes with a 14 day premium which would allow you to completely scan your computer. It's the best anti virus if you want to stay trojan free. It will confirm whether if there is a trojan at play there, which is causing that error.

~CB

You should also try re entering your activation key, maybe that'll help. You can re enter it by completing these following steps I'm about to state below:

"-Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.-Scroll down to the bottom of the window that appears, and then, under Windows activation, click Change product key. If you're prompted for permission to continue the process, click Continue.

If Windows was correctly activated, (via inputting the activation-key code), the "not genuine" message is most likely caused by a windows update , (rather than a trojan) ...

Quote from: thewindowsclub.com

After you install your genuine copy of the Windows operating system on your computer, you are required to activate Windows within a stipulated period of time. If you do not, you will see a message This copy of Windows is not genuine. On rare occasions, this may also happen after a Windows Update

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/this-copy-of-windows-is-not-genuine [Links inactive - To make links active and clickable, login or click here to register]

If re-entering the windows activation code doesn't solve the problem you may have to use Windows own ability to repair itself ... http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/help/genuine/faq [Links inactive - To make links active and clickable, login or click here to register]

It's a Dell bought from Best Buy, about five or six years ago with Windows 7. I only have Avira antivirus. Next time I'm at the library I'll see what happens. I usually only do updates when I have wifi.